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POLITICO 44

“Through your hard work and through your principled determination to bequeath to your children a better America, we will restructure the government,” McCotter told supporters at the rally.

It’s not yet clear where McCotter fits into the field, or what expectations he has for the campaign. The Michigan Republican hasn’t announced staff hires or laid out a political strategy in any detail. And as a longtime congressman in a safe seat, he has not had to demonstrate his fundraising capabilities of late.

His website lays out five “core principles” but has little other content.

Still, McCotter is a favorite of conservative bloggers and talk-radio hosts, who cannot resist his colorful statements and behavior.

McCotter is also a draw on Capitol Hill, and any reporter who has covered McCotter for any period of time has likely received a CD in the mail of rock songs written and performed by the congressman. The lyrics of a recent album touted positions advocated by the Republican Study Committee.

Still, McCotter’s announcement drew little notice, and it’s hard to see how he’ll avoid getting drowned out by the likes of Michele Bachmann and other grassroots favorites already in the field. McCotter’s announcement was not carried live by cable television outlets. And the Drudge Report, a go-to news destination for conservatives, didn’t even mention the announcement on Saturday night.

Who is this clown? And why on earth does he think he can be president? A rock singer. Yeah, that's the guy to lead us into the future. Rock on, Thaddeus. Keep your day job, though. Just because, a month from now, when your "campaign" for President is over, you'll have something to do with yourself.

Who is this clown? And why on earth does he think he can be president? A rock singer. Yeah, that's the guy to lead us into the future. Rock on, Thaddeus. Keep your day job, though. Just because, a month from now, when your "campaign" for President is over, you'll have something to do with yourself.

Every story announces he plays guitar. So you must assume he is better than any non-player. All stoners who are now "conservative" tell us he is brilliant because he appears on Red Eye. They serve him softballs and let him make fun of them without hitting back. I have no use for anyone who supported the auto union bailout. If that means we must do without candidates from Michigan, oh well.

Thad McCotter may be one of the darker dark horses, but there's still 16 months until the election, and if the people actually listen to the message he's putting out, and realize that he's doing this for the good of our country, and not for the establishment, or some high-rolling special interest group(s), McCotter could be a person to be reckoned with down the road........and if the Tea Party should decide to get behind him, there's no telling what he might accomplish.

And since he is already well known in the middle-of-the-night circles, he merely has to convince those people who have better sleeping habits than his base that he's worth a look, ya know?

No idea if this is what he's going for, but I think McCotter would be a fantastic nominee for vice president. From a conservative/libertarian view, he's good on the issues. He's articulate in kind of an edgy way (judging by what I've seen on TV) and would be a smart, substantive voice on the campaign trail. And for the news outlets that want to focus on frills, there's always the guitar stuff.

Trust me, after McCotter participates in his first debate, people will most certainly take notice of this candidate. He will be the smartest person on the stage, and it will become evident quite quickly that his is a message that all Americans can, and will embrace.

McCotter is a very bright person. It was Obama who was called a "rock star." Of course they weren't referring to any shred of musical talent, but the hype and celebrityhood the media concocted for Obama. It just so happens McCotter is actually a talented lead guitarist with a broad range of interests. Readers might want to pause before using the word "clown" to deride an accomplished musician and a deep thinker. However, that doesn't mean his positions on the issues are necessarily in line with the voting block he needs behind him. But he certainly shouldn't be dismissed for being an intellectual lightweight. Politico has commented about how McCotter doesn't light a "fire." Funny, I never saw any fire coming from Huntsman or the others. Each person deserves a chance. But the country doesn't have much of a chance if people are cynical, dismissive and ignorant to boot. He's definitely not Madison Avenue.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.... (ring, ring) Huh? Oh hi Thad. You're doing what? Oh that's nice. That shouldn't take you but a couple of days, then you can go home and clean out the garage. G'nite Thad. We'll go fishing after you're done with this politicing nonsense. ( hangs up phone) ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

And I thought Huntsman was an unknown. He's a rock star compared to McCotter.

Id love to see him debate the other candidates in upcoming debates but as history has shown, any candidate labeled a dark horse is generally excluded/not invited to the debate. this of course further enforces the assumption the candidate isnt "for real" just like every one some how assumes that musicians arent serious about anything...regean was an actor before he got into politics and became governor....arnold was an actor before he got into politics and became governor.

Thaddeus mccotter is a 5 term congressman with a long record of standing up for his constituents and defending the constitution. he has served longer and with 10 times the distinction as well as ...um he has actually been behind countless bills in his time in congress...michelle bachman while the current darling who says all the right things has a record of opening up her mouth but not being a congresswoman like she was elected to do...and her law degree might as well as come from a cracker jack box....but lets all admit it...presidential elections are glorified beauty/popularity contests and we look for the person who says the right things...

mcotter, paul, johnson followed by huntsman....two are former governors with impressive records and two are congressmen with impressive records and neither of these 4 have a chance in hell of "earning" the nomination....it will either be romney the establishment candidate, the flip flopper, opportunistic venture capitalist or it will be bachman the candidate with no accomplisments to speak of and a quarter of a law degree...who is running on sounds bites and beauty....what has now become known as the palin effect except at least she was a governor with some accomplishments...(still have no idea what people of the great state of alaska were expecting when they elected her, the small town bridge burner from wasilla...)

Thad's actually my congressman and the only 2012 candidate I've actually met personally. I wish I could support the home town boy but he's just too party-line GOP for me.

Typical politician-every time I've emailed him ( I think about 3 or 4 times) I've only ever received the form letter response to the general issue of my question, filled with political double talk nonsense.

I do hope he gets a fair shake with the media, but slim chance of that. That movie Idiocracy is becoming more and more of a reality every day.